Qatari satellite operator Es’hailSat has selected SpaceX to launch its second satellite, Es’hailSat 2. The spacecraft, currently being manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric (Melco), will be placed in geostationary orbit in Q4 2016 by a SpaceX Falcon…
Qatari satellite operator Es’hailSat has selected SpaceX to launch its second satellite, Es’hailSat 2.
The spacecraft, currently being manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric (Melco), will be placed in geostationary orbit in Q4 2016 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The total cost of the project, including its ground infrastructure, is estimated at around US$360m. This will be fully funded by the Qatari government with no export credit agency support.
Located at in 26E, Es’hail 2 will provide TV distribution and government services via Ku- and Ka-band payloads.
In a statement Ali Al Kuwari, Es’hailSat’s CEO, said: “Now a proven GTO launcher, SpaceX was able to meet our special technical requirements and most importantly to meet the time critical mission to launch Es’hail 2 at the end of 2016.”
The contract marks another win for SpaceX which continues to eat into the more established launch providers’ share of the market. On 6 January SpaceX was forced to scrub its latest launch – a cargo mission to the International Space Station – due to an issue with the actuator; which helps steer the second stage of the Falcon 9. The mission has been rescheduled for 10 January.
SpaceX has earmarked the launch as its first attempt to try and recycle the first stage of the Falcon 9 by landing it on an ocean platform that is floating in the Atlantic. The drone ship will position itself using on-board motors to give the first stage a solid platform to land on.
Es’hailSat issued an RfP for its second satellite in March this year, bringing in insurance broker Willis to advise on risk management and technical requirements. Willis is in the process of securing insurance for Es’hail 2.
Es’hail 1, which is half owned by Paris-based satellite fleet operator Eutelsat and was built by Space Systems Loral of the US, was launched by Arianespace on 29 August 2013.
Es’hailSat was established in 2010 by ictQatar, the country’s telecoms regulator and state-run technology advocate and facilitator.
